| Kosher Wigs are certified by rabbinical oversight to | | | | initial cost and upkeep expenses. For all the effort put |
| ensure that they comply with all halachic | | | | into making them and certifying them, many rabbis |
| requirements, especially after controversies in 1990 | | | | actually find them insufficiently modest. In fact, |
| and 2005 over the use of Indian hair in such wigs. | | | | almost half of all the observant wives in Israel do not |
| Those incidents involved the question of whether hair | | | | use wigs at all on account of their rabbis, and wear |
| shorn during pagan religious ceremonies should be | | | | instead snoods, scarves, and other headgear to fully |
| considered unclean, after the age-old stipulation | | | | cover their hair. |
| concerning the use of objects associated with idol | | | | A married woman's hair is held to be a symbol of her |
| worship, namely that no good can come from such | | | | sensuality and even sexuality and not to be shared |
| things. In both cases a full rabbinical inquiry, complete | | | | with anyone but her husband. For those who take |
| with "on the ground" investigative teams, concluded | | | | such ideas literally, as the fundamentalists and |
| that nothing was halachically amiss. But the damage | | | | orthodox do, it is understandable how even wigs do |
| had been done by then, as many wigmakers now | | | | not fully provide for compliance. |
| shun the use of Indian hair due to all the bad publicity | | | | Of course, Kosher Wigs are not exclusive to |
| created. Instead, much of the Asian hair utilized in | | | | observant wives, but can be utilized by even the |
| manufacturing these wigs come from China, from its | | | | least religious, such as during times of medical crises |
| westernmost parts where the people are considered | | | | like cancer. Undergoing chemotherapy, for example, a |
| to be racially or ethnically closer to Europeans. | | | | woman may feel more comfortable affirming her |
| Kosher Wigs are made from two chief types of hair, | | | | ethnic heritage by donning such hairpieces. Kosher |
| those from Eastern Europe and those from Asia. | | | | Wigs are generally more expensive than regular wigs |
| Asian varieties are often treated for color and | | | | because of the religious oversight necessary to their |
| texture, while European hair is commonly left alone | | | | manufacture, but they make up quite a rather |
| and thus also known as "virgin" hair. Kosher Wigs can | | | | successful cottage industry, and can often be |
| also be made from synthetic fibers, which can rival | | | | crafted with the most loving workmanship anywhere. |
| even highly-prized premium 100% human hair wigs in | | | | |
